Tanzania: Soda plant will not harm Flamingos

[LazyDog]

haya jamani NDC wamesema mwezi huu wanaanza kazi, hawajali cha flamingo wala nini.NDC na Tata wanalazimisha kuanzisha hicho kiwanda, je kina faida gani au ndio kuchukua na kuondoka watuachie mashimo? Jamani hawa watu wa TAWIRI na NEMC meshindwa kabisa kuzuia hicho kiwanda kisianze kazi? au wanaplan gani ya conservation?




["http://beta.ph.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080505/tbs-tanzania-flamingos-7318940.html"]

Reuters - Tuesday, May 6
Nasari said the economics of the venture were clear, with NDC putting the cost of producing soda-ash in Tanzania at $180 per tonne, versus buying it from Kenya at $300 per tonne. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/) - NAIROBI, May 5 - A Tanzanian state firm rejected the concerns of environmentalists on Monday that rare flamingoes would be threatened by the soda-ash plant it plans to build with an Indian company at a lake in northern Tanzania.

Conservationists say the plant will directly threaten the fragile ecosystem of Lake Natron, where three-quarters of the world's lesser flamingos go to breed. Gideon Nasari, managing director of Tanzania's state-run National Development Corporation , said plans to shift the plant 35km from the lakeshore would help preserve the pink birds, which are a major tourist attraction.

"By locating the factory away from the lake, we are going to make sure that we can co-exist with the flamingos," Nasari told Reuters in a telephone interview from Dar es Salaam.

"We are really working very hard to prove scientifically that in fact there is a self-renewing ability in that lake."

Soda-ash is the common name for sodium carbonate, which can be used in making soap powders, glass and paper.

Conservationists fear the industrial extraction will affect the delicate mineral balance in the remote Lake Natron, killing the algae which the flamingos feed on and which gives them their pink pigment. Addressing reporters in Nairobi on Monday, an umbrella group of 32 environmental organisations said they were "greatly disturbed" to learn NDC and its Indian partner, Tata Chemicals Ltd , planned to go ahead with work at the new site.

It says the lesser flamingo could become extinct in five years if its habitat is destroyed. Paul Matiku of Nature Kenya said the death of the rare birds would put regional tourism earnings at risk.

"If the flamingos are going to be threatened ... then what are the benefits of this project?" he said.

Pollution in neighbouring Kenya has been blamed in recent years for the deaths of hundreds of flamingos, which belong to the "lesser" species, 80 percent of which live in Africa.

The umbrella Lake Natron Consultative Group said it was stepping up its efforts to halt the project through campaigning and by commissioning more studies into the costs and benefits of the proposed facility.

Nasari said NDC would begin that process this month. The company has a 40 percent shareholding in the project, while Tata owns the rest. They hope to create 100 jobs.

Nasari said the economics of the venture were clear, with NDC putting the cost of producing soda-ash in Tanzania at $180 per tonne, versus buying it from Kenya at $300 per tonne. (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/)

 

[LazyDog]

Lesser flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) information

Threats
This species is highly specialised, making it particularly vulnerable to threats. Land claim, water pollution from pesticides and heavy metals, and disturbance is thought to have reduced numbers (2) .

Conservation
The lesser flamingo has yet to breed in captivity, but with such high numbers of individuals, the main concern of conservationists is to conserve its highly specialised habitat. Currently, the three lesser flamingo breeding sites in eastern Africa and southern Africa have no specific protection (2). The three main feeding sites in east Africa are partially or wholly contained within National Parks or reserves.



Habitat
The lesser flamingo breeds in flooded salt pans in southern Africa and highly alkaline lakes in eastern Africa. Breeding sites are extremely limited, with all individuals residing in eastern Africa breeding at one site (Lake Natron in Tanzania), and the birds of southern Africa breeding at only two sites (Sua Pan in Botswana and Etosha Pan in Namibia). Non-breeding birds may also be found on coastal mudflats, salt works and sewage treatment works where salinities are high.

SOURCE

 

[murra wa marwa]

Nimeona thread ingine inafanana na hii, ziunganishwe kama inawezekana.

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Sitoshangaa hapo mbeleni tukijikuta tunatuma ujumbe Umoja wa Mataifa kudai turudishiwe flamingoes tuliodhulumiwa. Sasa hivi tunaletewa vifaru kutoka Afrika ya Kusini ili wawepo tena kwenye mbuga zetu k.m. Mbuga ya Sadani. Hakuna economic justification kwa mradi wowote wenye even the slightest risk ya extinction ya hawa ndege!

 

[Bibi Kizee]

wana JF samahani, nadhani nililala hii habari imenishtua, mazingira yetu, urithi wa vizazi vyetu! ni nini urithi wa vizazi vijavyo kuja kuona maeneo machakavu yasiyo na vivutio, tayari pana miradi ya pesa nyingi inagharamia utafiti wa vifo vya hawa ndege vilivyotokea miaka ya 2002-2004 kama sikosei, leo hii hata utafiti haujakamilika limeanza jingine, inauma kwa mazingira yetu na urithi wa vizazi vyetu! ni kweli jamani ripoti za watafiti wetu juu ya uchafuzi wa mazingira huwa zinasomwa? je watu wa EIA (environmental Impact assessment) wapo, au ndio ufisadi! jamani kweli sasa NEMC inabidi waamake huko walipolala,

 

[Nemesis]

Wakuu mnakumbuka habari za mradiwa yule bangusilo wa kuvua praws aliyetaka kuuanzisha Rufiji delta? Alipo kataliwa aliondoka Tanzania na kusema maneno yafuatayo

"Tanzania ni nchi pekee duniani unayoweza kuingia ukiwa na dola 5 na baada ya miaka mitano ukaondoka bilionea kwasababu tu wewe ni mzungu"

Contradiction iliyokuwepo katika mradi huo ni kwamba Environmental impact Assessments (EIA) zilionyesha kwamba hakuna madhara makubwa ya kimazingira. Hali hiyo ilipelekea Baraza la Mawaziri kuuidhinisha. Lakini wananchi wa Rufiji walisimama kidete na kufanikiwa kuuzuia. Inasemekana kwamba mradi huo ulikuwa na madhara makubwa mno kimazingira.

Nimeambatanisha article ya Tundu Lisu, it is very clear juu ya tatizo tulilonalo katika kufanya EIA ya miradi ya kigeni. Ukisoma you will get it well.

 

[Mama]

wana JF samahani, nadhani nililala hii habari imenishtua, mazingira yetu, urithi wa vizazi vyetu! ni nini urithi wa vizazi vijavyo kuja kuona maeneo machakavu yasiyo na vivutio, tayari pana miradi ya pesa nyingi inagharamia utafiti wa vifo vya hawa ndege vilivyotokea miaka ya 2002-2004 kama sikosei, leo hii hata utafiti haujakamilika limeanza jingine, inauma kwa mazingira yetu na urithi wa vizazi vyetu! ni kweli jamani ripoti za watafiti wetu juu ya uchafuzi wa mazingira huwa zinasomwa? je watu wa EIA (environmental Impact assessment) wapo, au ndio ufisadi! jamani kweli sasa NEMC inabidi waamake huko walipolala,

Labda nako kuna ufisadi ndio maana mambo hayaendi, you never know

 

[Nemesis]

Labda nako kuna ufisadi ndio maana mambo hayaendi, you never know

Utafiti wa Tundu Lisu ambao article yake nimeiambatanisha hapo juu unatoa majibu ya mambo karibu yote au yote.

 

[Savimbi]

Labda nako kuna ufisadi ndio maana mambo hayaendi, you never know

Nadhani ukweli ndiyo huo!

Maana kama ni Kampeni za kuzuia ujenzi wa kiwanda hicho zimefanywa muda mrefu sana! Mpaka Jamii ya Kimataifa ikaingilia kati, wadau wote wamazingira Wanapingana nalo..sasa kuna faida gani kuwepo kwa NEMC kama hawasikilizwi:

Key milestones in the Lake Natron advocacy campaign are outlined below:-

• Following a scoping notice published on 1st November 2006 by the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) of Tanzania, WCST (BirdLife in Tanzania) made a submission to NEMC which stated that “in the eyes of conservationists, the implementation of this project will result in an ecosystem catastrophe in the long run”. Since that initial submission, WCST has maintained constant opposition to the project plans, including putting out press releases, radio interviews and lobbying and advising government officials.

• In early 2007, several institutions in Eastern Africa formed the Lake Natron Consultative Group to raise awareness on the threats that face Lake Natron and the Lesser Flamingos. The group now numbers 31 institutions covering, east, central and southern Africa as well as North America and its coordinator is hosted by the BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat.


• The Group carries out an intensive awareness campaign through the media and initiated a petition against the soda ash plant that has now been signed by over 2,000 individuals across the globe. The Group also holds regular consultations and writes letters to senior government officials in East Africa and to Tata Chemicals Ltd, seeking support to have the project stopped. A regular bulletin on developments around Lake Natron is maintained and sent to over 500 institutions and individuals across the globe

• In July 2007, representatives of WCST, BirdLife International and the Group attended the EIA stakeholder’s meeting in Dar es Salaam and raised strong objections to the project.

• In October 2007, BirdLife partners from 23 African countries signed a petition against the soda project and sent it to the Tanzanian Government.


• Also in October 2007, BirdLife International initiated a global campaign to help save Lake Natron. Dubbed “Think Pink, Save Lesser Flamingos, the campaign is aimed at drawing the world’s attention to the threat that the species faces if the soda ash plant is built. As part of the Think Pink Campaign, conservation organizations, eminent conservationists, flamingo experts and concerned individuals from more than 40 countries across the world have written (and continue to write) to the Tanzanian government protesting at the project plans. BirdLife International puts out regular global press releases on the campaign and considerable media interest has been generated.

• On 2nd November 2007, the Technical Advisory Committee of the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) of Tanzania declined to accept the EIA for the soda ash project at a meeting in Dar Es Salaam. WCST (BirdLife in Tanzania) made a detailed critique of the EIA to the meeting and presented the BirdLife International position which requested the project to be halted on the basis of the precautionary principle.


• On 17th January 2008, WCST (BirdLife in Tanzania) supported by BirdLife International and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK) made a presentation to the Tanzanian Parliamentary Committee on the Environment outlining the case against the project.

• On 23rd January 2008, NEMC held a public hearing on the EIA of the proposed project in Dar es Salaam. During the hearing, strong opposition to the project was expressed; with over 90% of the members of the public present rejecting the project. The strongest opposition came from a delegation of 12 community members who traveled from villages surrounding Lake Natron. BirdLife International and the Lake Natron Consultative Group presented verbal and written submissions opposing the development. The RSPB also presented the opposition of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators. There was wide media coverage of the public hearing in Tanzania with most of the coverage being supportive of BirdLife International’s, The Group’s and RSPB’s positions.


• During the public hearing on 23 January, the National Development Corporation unexpectedly presented revised plans for the soda ash plant. Key changes included a shift in the site of the proposed plant from Wosi Wosi to Kitumbeine, more than 32 km away. These major changes should require a new ESIA.

• Between 17th and 29th February 2008, the Ramsar Secretariat sent an Advisory Mission to Tanzania to advise the government on the long term conservation of Lake Natron vis-a vis the proposed soda ash mining. The report from the mission is still pending.


• On 13 March 2008, Lake Natron Resources Ltd wrote formally to NEMC to withdraw the current ESIA from consideration. The letter stated that LNRL would commission a new ESIA for the new proposed site(s) and associated infrastructure. LNRL called on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism first to prepare an Integrated Ramsar Management Plan to inform the ESIA.

• BirdLife welcomes the withdrawal of the current, inadequate and now inappropriate ESIA but will continue to oppose any development at Lake Natron that risks endangering the Lesser Flamingo

NDC lazima ichunguzwe kwanini wanalazimisha huu mradi??? wakati Wadau wote wameuupinga???? hebu rejea hapo juu kikao cha tarehe 23rd January 2008; asilimia 90 walipinga kuwepo kwa mradi inakuwaje hawa asilimia 10 wajitwalie maamuzi???? Kipo kitu hapo!!!

 

[Fundi Mchundo]

Mkuu Savimbi,
na aliyetayarisha hiyo EIA ni huyo NorConsult ambaye yuko matatizoni. Kama alikuwa hajasajiliwa kisheria itakuwaje bado tuikubali EIA report yake? Mimi naamini kuna mchezo mchafu ulichezwa hapa lakini kwa kupenda kwetu dezo tunaufumbia macho.

 

[Savimbi]

Mkuu Fundi kwanza heshima mbele!
Swala la mchezo mchafu ndani ya mradi huu hilo halifichiki naamini siku siyo nyingi mambo yatakuwa wazi.

Kwa upande wa Wadau wote wakiwemo wa mazingira, utalii hakuna aliyeukubaliana na kuwepo kwa mradi huo, ila ni kama kawaida nguvu imetumika kupitisha mradi.

Kibaya zaidi kampuni yenyewe ni kutoka India, na unajua kampuni za hawa jamaa zetu wa Kiasia PESA mbele mambo ya Mazingira sijui Flamingo watadhurika hiyo mtajijua ninyi wenye Nchi!
Masikini Tanzania Yetu sijui tunaelekea wapi??? Tumeuza madini, nchi imebakia Mashimo kila mahali wala faida haionekani....sasa tunakuja kwenye viumbe! Nao tumeanza kuwatowesha: hasara kwa Vizazi vijavyo!!!, lazima watatulaani.

Faida inayopatikana kutokana na Utalii na ajira inajitosheleza kabisa, kuiingizia Serikali faida pasipo na athari kwa Viumbe wala hakukuwa na haja ya mradi wa hasara kama huo:

Economic considerations

• Wildlife tourism (or ecotourism) is the major source of tourist revenue in Tanzania. The country earned US$746 million from tourist receipts in 2004, supporting 200,000 direct jobs. The number of tourists visiting Tanzania is expected to grow from 580,000 in 2004 to one million by 2010.

• Ecotourism at many protected areas in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia depends in part on the East African population of Lesser Flamingos.

• Ecotourism at the southern end of Lake Natron generates US$500,000 per year in Tanzania and is a rapidly growing industry that relies on the pristine environment of Lake Natron to give ecotourists a "wilderness experience".

• At the local level there is concern that there will be loss of livelihoods, land and natural resources to the project, and also indirectly to incomers seeking work.

Political considerations
• The Government of Tanzania signed the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention), and listed Lake Natron as a Ramsar Site. Contracting Parties are required to take all necessary measures to safeguard the integrity of such sites.

• Lake Natron has been designated as an Important Bird Area – a site of global significance for bird conservation – by BirdLife International.

• Tanzania is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Bonn Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), and the CMS Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA). These agreements require signatories to seek consensus from neighbouring states in the management and development of shared ecosystems. Other Eastern African states have not been consulted and involved in the proposal process.

Uanachama mwingine tunajiunga nao wanini sasa kama hao Wanachama wenzetu wanatushauri tuachane na Mradi huo bado sisi tunalazimisha.

Inaonyesha Tanzania huwa tunafanya mambo yetu kwa Unafiki kuiridhisha Jumuiya ya Kimataifa, lakini utekelezaji wake ni Zero.

Inasikitisha sana!...Jamaa yangu wenye ID ya "Tuandamane" hajakosea...nadhani inaweza ikawa Solution: Ama wabunge watoke kwenye Kikao kama walivyofanya wana-CUF ilikuonyesha Kuwa Jambo hili linamizengwe ndani yake!

 

[Kidzogolae]

Hii mada sitachangia kwasababu niko katikati. kwaheri.

 

[LazyDog]

...Across the border in Kenya, two sides are similarly primed to fight over the future of the Tana Delta, Kenya's most important wetlands. A government-backed plan would bring an 80,000-acre sugar plantation to the area, wiping out one-third of the wetlands, which is home to hippos, crocodiles, lions – and more than 300 species of bird.

In Uganda, a battle is raging over a proposal to raze part of the protected Mabira forest and turn it into a sugar plantation. In all three cases the local population has been divided between those wishing to protect their environment and those swayed by the argument that the new projects will bring jobs.

The battle for Africa's natural resources has intensified in the past decade as first China, and now India, have joined the new "scramble for Africa". India invited African heads of state last month to the first India-Africa Summit in Delhi. China held an even bigger summit last year with more than 40 heads of state in attendance. "We will see more projects like this," said Mr Mwathe.

Some see positive signs even in the battles themselves. "Civil society in Africa is now willing mobilise," said Chris Magin, an international officer with the RSPB. "They have realised it is possible to challenge central government and win. For many decades since independence autocratic governments have imposed their will. But with increased access to communication, a better-educated and wealthier population people are willing to confront their leaders."

The environmental groups opposing the factory at Lake Natron are adamant they are not "anti-development".

"It is the responsibility of the government to bring development to its people," said Mr Mwathe, "but it needs to be done in a careful way that doesn't exploit our natural resources. If we damage Lake Natron today, we damage the Tana Delta tomorrow, and Mabira Forest the day after. We will be doomed for a long, long time."

SOURCE: Pollution in paradise: Flamingos vs the factory

 

[LazyDog]

THREAT TO THE INTEGRITY OF LAKE NATRON, AND TOURISM AND COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS IN EASTERN AFRICA, BY THE PROPOSED SODA ASH MINING BY TATA CHEMICALS LTD.
CONCERNS BY THE LAKE NATRON CONSULTATIVE GROUP

There is a proposal by Tata Chemicals Ltd. to construct a soda ash extraction plant at Lake Natron in Tanzania. We the Lake Natron Consultative Group are concerned about this proposal because:

Thousands of people work for the tourist industry around lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Manyara, where pink flamingos are a major attraction. The masses of pink flamingos have been called “the world’s greatest ornithological spectacle”. Lake Natron is the ONLY significant and regular breeding site for the East African population of these Lesser Flamingos.​

In addition:

• The area is part of a bigger shared ecosystem which links to key protected areas in both Kenya and Tanzania. These include Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and the Loita Forest.
• Lake Natron and its surroundings support the pastoral livelihoods of Maasai people both in Kenya and Tanzania
• Lake Natron is a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, as well as an Important Bird Area under the BirdLife International classification.

The Soda Ash Mining Proposal
Tata Chemicals Ltd, through Lake Natron Resources (TZ) Ltd, a company it has formed in conjunction with National Development Corporation is proposing to construct a soda ash extraction plant at Lake Natron in Tanzania. Tata Chemicals Ltd also owns majority shares in Magadi Soda Company in Kenya. The proposal to the Government of Tanzania is aimed at constructing a processing plant capable of producing 500,000 metric tonnes of soda ash annually. The plant will have associated infrastructure, including a new tarmac road, living accommodations for an estimated 1,225 construction workers and 152 permanent staff and their families. In addition, the plant will consume 11.5 megawatts of power and utilise 106,000 litres of fresh water per hour.

We are deeply concerned that a large scale project like the one proposed by Tata Chemicals is not appropriate for a fragile ecosystem like Lake Natron and the surrounding areas. It is our considered view that the impacts of such a project on tourism, biodiversity, community livelihoods and natural resources in the Eastern African region are going to be adverse, long term and irreversible.

Our concerns

We wish to voice our concerns as follows:

1. Impacts on Lesser Flamingos – Over two million Lesser Flamingos in eastern Africa use only one nesting site: Lake Natron. These birds are sensitive to disturbance during breeding. They nest in locations that have minimal human interference and It takes very little disturbance to cause an entire breeding colony to abandon its breeding effort entirely. The mining of soda ash from this lake is likely to gravely affect the breeding and hence survival of this species that is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened species.
   
   
2. Impacts on tourism and national economies - The impacts of the local extinction of Lesser Flamingos will be enormous and far reaching; it will lead to unprecedented damage to the tourism industry in the Eastern African region. In 2006 Kenya earned US$ 886 million from tourism revenue. In Kenya’s central rift, the tourism industry is largely supported by the Rift Valley Lakes and the flamboyant flamingos, whose only breeding site is now under threat. Thousands of jobs may be at stake. Furthermore, the proposed project goes counter to the proposal by South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO), a coalition of 15 Maasai group ranches, to open up the Southern Tourism Circuit with a view to connecting Amboseli and Maasai Mara with support from the Kenya Government and European Union through the Tourism Trust Fund (TTF). Shompole Community which is a member of SORALO recently won the UNDP Equator Prize for its contribution to biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation.
   
   
3. Damage to local economies & livelihoods – The proposed project will consume 106,000 litres of fresh water per hour. At this rate, the plant will consume 1,600,000 litres of water within 10 hours – which is sufficient to meet a day’s needs for the 40,000 livestock in Magadi division. Fresh water is extremely scarce in this area; coming from the Ewaso Nyiro river system in Kenya and Pinyiny, Moinik and Ngare Sero rivers in Tanzania. Abstraction of such huge amounts of fresh water will therefore create a water crisis in the border area. As things stand, the water supply is not sufficient to meet domestic, wildlife and livestock and the proposed plant will completely destabilise any existing balance.
   
   
4. Contravention of Ramsar Convention and other International Agreements – The Republic of Tanzania is a signatory to various international conventions that do not seem to be taken into account in the proposed project. These include the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) and the Convention on the Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). These agreements require signatories to seek consensus from neighbouring states in the management and development of shared ecosystems. We are gravely concerned that other Eastern African states have not been consulted and involved in the proposal development process. The Ramsar convention advocates for parties to develop management plans for sites listed under its criteria, and any development projects implemented only within the framework of such plans. As far as we know, the Republic of Tanzania has not developed a management plan for Lake Natron Ramsar Site.
   
   
5. Doubts about the EIA Process – The Environmental Impact Assessment process which is being undertaken by Norconsult (TZ) Ltd has not been participatory. The proponent has not carried out a comprehensive consultation with all interested and affected institutions, communities and individuals outside Tanzania. This ignores the protocols developed by East African Community states pertaining to natural resource management, including Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and guidelines for management of transboundary resources.
   
   
6. Past experiences with Tata Chemicals Ltd – It is impossible not to think about Tata Chemicals Ltd projects elsewhere, especially the long term mining operations in Magadi, Kenya. A few years ago, the operations in Magadi were expanded by constructing a second plant. This construction was shrouded in secrecy, with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process ignoring most of the key stakeholders working in the area. Important issues such as water requirements for the plant seem not to have been thought through, and currently, part of the new factory has been shut down ostensibly due to an acute shortage of water. We therefore have a strong basis for urging extreme caution based on these previous experiences.

We therefore call upon:

• The government of the republic of Tanzania to reconsider the project in view of the negative effects it is going to have on national economies, biodiversity conservation and local community livelihoods in the region. It should bear in mind that in 2000 Kenyan authorities abandoned a proposed hydro-electric project at Ewaso Nyiro River following protests from Tanzania citizens.
  
• The governments of other countries in the Eastern African region to intervene with the Tanzanian authorities in order to impress on them the dangers their respective countries are likely to suffer if the project is implemented
  
• The East African Community to intervene and facilitate dialogue on this matter. It is in the interest of the Community to ensure that sufficient debate and dialogue is allowed by all member countries before any action is taken
  
• Tata Chemicals Ltd to look not only at the profits after project implementation but ask itself: “at what cost?”

SOURCE: Environment Liaison Center International (ELCI)

 

[LazyDog]

New development updates
12th May 2008: Tata withdraws Natron project ESIA Report

 

[Savimbi]

Tata withdraws Natron project ESIA Report: 12-05-2008

Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) has finally withdrawn the much discredited Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report for the proposed Lake Natron soda ash plant. The development has been opposed by national NGOs in Tanzania, the Lake Natron Consultative Group (a consortium of 32 mainly East African NGOs), BirdLife International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB; BirdLife in the UK), for posing serious threats to the survival of Lesser Flamingos Phoeniconaias minor and the livelihoods of local communities.

In an apparent response to these concerns, the company told a stakeholder meeting hosted by the World Bank in Dar es Salaam last week that they had asked the Tanzanian government to disregard the earlier report. Mr Rahul Singh, the new TCL Project Manager, said: “We have turned down the earlier ESIA report and we have requested the government to throw away the original report as we are working on new studies on the matter.”

During the meeting - attended by a wide range of donors, media, government personalities and the private sector - Lota Melamari, the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania (WCST, BirdLife in Tanzania) presented a strong case for the complete abandonment of the project in a presentation entitled "Flamingos of Lake Natron, a Tanzanian Treasure". In his talk, Lota described Natron’s vast flocks of shimmering pink flamingos as one of the world’s greatest wildlife attractions. “This resource must not be destroyed”, said Lota.


At the same meeting the Tourism Services Manager of the Tanzania Tourist Board, Ms Serena Shao, warned that Tanzania may not achieve its tourism targets if key attractions are destroyed. “The soda ash proposal must be critically analysed given that Tanzania currently earns over 1billion US dollars from tourism. Our dream of attracting one million tourists by 2010 may not be achieved if we damage key attractions like Lake Natron “, she said.

In response to the investor’s withdrawal of the project, the new Environment Minister of Tanzania (Dr Batilda Burian) called a press conference on 1 May 2008 and issued a government statement in which she warned that while the investors were free to conduct a fresh ESIA, they should be aware that unless their report satisfied environmental and social concerns, no approval would be granted. Dr Burian further said that a new ESIA must be preceded by the development of an Integrated Management Plan for the Lake Natron Ramsar Site which would spell out the future conservation and development agenda for the area.
BirdLife International, the RSPB and the Lake Natron Consultative Group welcome the investor’s decision to withdraw the initial ESIA report submitted to NEMC. We also laud the new Minister’s quick response and commend her for being responsive to stakeholders in general on this matter. However, we hold the view that Tata Chemicals Ltd and its Tanzanian partner the National Development Corporation should have withdrawn the project altogether. Shifting the project 32 km away from Lake Natron does not amount to “mitigation” of the serious impacts the project is likely to pose to the Lesser Flamingos and the local communities. The project impacts are not limited to the operations of the plant alone but the whole process of brine extraction (including an intricate network of pipes and roads on the surface of the lake as is the case at Lake Magadi in Kenya), pumping and processing.

Hapa niko na swali kidogo; Baada ya kuona Lake Natron pale hawawezi jenga kiwanda kwa vile mkataba wa Ramsar hauruhusu wakaamua kuuhamishia mradi umbali wa 32km, sawa! inamaana shughuli zote za kiwanda zinatakiwa zianzekufanyika umbali huo wa 32km, sasa kwa nini wanataka wajenge reli, barabara na wachukue malighafi toka kwenye eneo la mkataba wa Ramsar kwenye mwambao wa Ziwa Natron ndani ya hizo 32km? Hapo kilichotakiwa isifanyike shughuli yoyote ile ndani ya hilo eneo la Mkataba

Hata nasi tunajua kuchezesha mchezo wa karata tatu:

 

[LazyDog]

Hawa watu kwenye fikra zao ni QUICK FIXES tu, kuna kingine wanachofikiria?
"Lets make MEGA profit quickly to benefit a few."

What is your view about comments like these, (from Bw. Jumanne Maghembe)

January 15, 2008 at 11:34 am
I am ken Mwathe, I am the co-ordinator of Lake Natron Consultative Group, a coalition of 28 institutions that are opposing the construction of the soda ash plant. We placed an advert in the East African on 29th October 2007 and expressed our strong opposition to the project.

Now, the Minister of Tourism in Tanzania has said the project will go ahead. This is in The Citizen newspaper of 10th January.

The Government of Tanzania insists that it will go ahead with the proposed construction of the soda ash plant. The Minister in charge of Tourism and Natural Resources (Hon Jumanne Maghembe) was quoted January 10th 2007 saying "the benefits of undertaking the project to alleviate poverty outweighed demerits". He further said "If they (Environmentalists) do not want us to carry out the project, then they should give us amounts equivalent to cash flows which we would get from the project yearly". Hon Maghembe added a new angle to the project not heard before. He said that the soda ash will be transported through an underground route to Tanga!!

Our quick comments on the Ministers statement:

a. It is outside the Hon Minister's jurisdiction to give the way forward on the proposed project. In law, the Minister for Environment in the Vice President's Office (Rt. Hon Mark Mwandosya) has the final word. Rt. Hon Mwandosya has not made any public statement on the same in spite of receiving numerous letters from local, national and international organisations asking him to reject the soda ash project

b. The Minister seems unaware of the existence of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). He also seems unaware of the fact that a government agency (National Environment Management Authority - NEMC) declined to accept the project ESIA on 2nd November 2007. On what basis then, can the government proceed with the project?

c. The suggestion that the final product will be pumped through an underground route (to avoid disturbing the flamingos) is not practical. First, it would be too expensive and secondly, it would call for a fresh re-designing of the project. W

d. In spite of the above, as a Group, we can not ignore the comments by the Hon Minister. It may be an indirect way of the government giving its stand and we will soon make an appropriate response

Ken Mwathe
For: Lake Natron Consultative Group

Birdlife Africa Partnership Secretariat
ICIPE Campus, Kasarani Road,
P.O Box 3502 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 8562246/8562490
Fax +254 20 8562259
Office cell +254 734 600905 or +254 722 200238
Personal Cell +254 733 926191
Email ken.mwathe@birdlife.or.ke

 

[Savimbi]

Mheshimiwa lazydogy!

Tatizo la Viongozi wa Tanzania huwa hawataki kusema hili sina ujuzi nalo tuwaachie watu wa Mazingira ama wa maliasili akishajijua yeye ni Waziri lazima ajibu hata leo ungemuuliza habari za Balali angekujibu!

Sasa kweli huu ni Upumbavu gani
"The Minister in charge of Tourism and Natural Resources (Hon Jumanne Maghembe) was quoted January 10th 2007 saying “the benefits of undertaking the project to alleviate poverty outweighed demerits”. He further said “If they (Environmentalists) do not want us to carry out the project, then they should give us amounts equivalent to cash flows which we would get from the project yearly”.

• Tata Chemicals Ltd na Washirika wanakupa mahesabu ya faida itakayopatikana, mbona hawazungumzii gharama itakayotumika katika ujenzi wa mradi?

Tupambane na haya majitu kabla ya hiyo ESIA ya pili

 

[LazyDog]

Decision makers (including environmentalist) must be guided by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report. National Environment Management Council (NEMC) was created among other roles to ensure that there is minimal damage to the environment and where damage or impact is so severe, satisfactory measures are put in place to safeguard the environment from further degradation. It is important to note that the team of experts appointed by NEMC requested for detailed consulatative ESIA report.

Tanzania is a signantory to the Ramsar Convention and must ensure that the terms to the agreement are respected and implemented.

Check our website http://www.youthforconserevation.org to find out why Kenyans are opposed to proposed plant.

The Tanzania Government and the people of Tanzania should take this opportunity to visit Magadi Soda Company to assess the viability of the proposed project. Tata Chemicals a major sharehoder in Magadi Company has built a second prossesing plant on Lake Magadi but lack fresh water to run the plant effectively and effeciently.

Most of the issues raised by environmentalist are not addressed in the ESIA report. It is proper for the proponents of this project to go back to the drawing board and conduct a detailed and consultative study.

Kuzuru kampuni ya Magadi Soda litakuwa jambo la muhimu kufanywa na wataalam wetu.
These are some interesting findings, ukizingatia sikuwa nimejua ziwa Magadi pia Flamingo wapo:

The Magadi Soda Company which is Africa's largest soda ash manufacturer is one of Kenya's leading export earners and employs over 450 people.

The Magadi Soda Company was established in 1911 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Brunner Mond in 1924. In 1926 Brunner Mond combined with other British chemical companies to form Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (better known by its initials ICI).
In December 2005 Tata Chemicals Company acquired majority stake of Brunner Mond Company which was Magadi's parent Company. SOURCE

 

[LazyDog]

Tata withdraws Natron project ESIA Report: 12-05-2008


Hapa niko na swali kidogo; Baada ya kuona Lake Natron pale hawawezi jenga kiwanda kwa vile mkataba wa Ramsar hauruhusu wakaamua kuuhamishia mradi umbali wa 32km, sawa! inamaana shughuli zote za kiwanda zinatakiwa zianzekufanyika umbali huo wa 32km, sasa kwa nini wanataka wajenge reli, barabara na wachukue malighafi toka kwenye eneo la mkataba wa Ramsar kwenye mwambao wa Ziwa Natron ndani ya hizo 32km? Hapo kilichotakiwa isifanyike shughuli yoyote ile ndani ya hilo eneo la Mkataba

Hata nasi tunajua kuchezesha mchezo wa karata tatu:

Mambo mengine yanachekesha kama sio kuchefua
Hapo juu waziri amesema,

The Government of Tanzania insists that it will go ahead with the proposed construction of the soda ash plant. The Minister in charge of Tourism and Natural Resources (Hon Jumanne Maghembe) was quoted January 10th 2007 saying “the benefits of undertaking the project to alleviate poverty outweighed demerits”. He further said “If they (Environmentalists) do not want us to carry out the project, then they should give us amounts equivalent to cash flows which we would get from the project yearly”. Hon Maghembe added a new angle to the project not heard before. He said that the soda ash will be transported through an underground route to Tanga!!

Ili kwamba wasiwa-disturb flamingos